This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Total transmission failure. We drove to NJ from our house, no problems, noises or warnings parked the car and 1/2 hour later go in the car and car would not move either back or forth. Had car towed to mechanic and next day he told me I needed a new transmission, I was shocked, so decide to get a 2nd opinion, took car to amaco, they diagnosed also that a needed new transmission or rebuild transmission. I was going away on vacation on Friday, so had no options but fix transmission which cost me $2,021.25. I was glad it didnt brake while we were driving in the highway and no one got hurt. I asked the people at amaco, what made the transmission just die, at 81,525 miles and they told me is a very common problems with this particular car, so I decide to research and found out that they were right, by your own records of complaints. So, I hope the manufacturer will do something about it or be forced to do so. I also found out that there were other recalls that I was never notified about, such as seat belts and fuel system problems.
Problems with fuel rail on 1998 Dodge Caravan. The consumer had taken the vehicle in for a recall repair for the fuel line in which the Dodge dealer repaired it, but there was a continued leak that had come from the engine. The consumer then took the vehicle to good year who replaced the faulty line to stop the leak, and all the dealer did was place a stronger clamp around the leaking line. The consumer was denied a refund, because an authorized dealer did not perform the work. Recall#00V268000. The consumer also stated the transmission had to be replaced.
I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan with a transmission problem at 65,000 miles with a cost of repair at $2140, the dealer telling me I have a 15% off total cost to fix. An actual replacement is a $2600, a rebuilt at the cost of $2,140. A complaint has been made with Chrysler, with no response from them as yet. The dealer said the would contact the zone mgr, but not available for me for at least a week. When I asked why this would happen, the dealer did reply, well, the van is 5 years old. Meaning? a disposable van at 5 years or 50,000 which ever comes first. Ridiculous!
I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan sport with 57000 miles. Today 7/2/03 the transmission failed, it appears that the casting cracked due to an internal failure. I know of two other owners of the same year van that had the same problem. I contacted the Chrysler district office and was told I was out of luck..
- Ogdensburg , NY, USA
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1998 Dodge Grand Caravan sport (68,000 miles) driven on dry pavement on a clear day at speed limit or below (45mph zone) threw differential pin through transmission housing, destroying transmission. Vehicle was transported to dealer and assessed. Repair cost (new transmission) stated to be $3,445. This vehicle was purchased new from herb gordon Dodge of silver spring, md. Research indicates that this is a recurring problem with this make and model of Chrysler produced vehicle.
The air bag light illuminated, which caused the horn and cruise control to be inoperative. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the drivers side frontal air bag had to be repaired.. also the transmission down shifted hard
Bought used 1998 Dodge Caravan in June 2002 with 42K miles. Heard noise in engine in October 2002 and took to independent mechanic. Said transmission was bad. Transmission went out while traveling to work in April 2003. Only has 59,500 miles on it.
We bought the Dodge Caravan SE in 1998. Last year, when the vehicle was around 30,000 miles, the car was starting to have problem on shifting. It sometimes locked on the 2nd gear and wouldn''t go faster. After we turned off the engine and restarted, it was all ok again. On Feb 21st, 2003 while we were driving on the highway, the transmission gave up and broke. The whole family was stranded, as the vehicle wouldn''t move at all. The vehicle had only 42,000 miles on it and only 6000 miles after the warranty expired. I therefore contacted the Chrysler support. They replied plainly that it is my responsibility because it has passed the warranty. I then purchased a remanufactured transmission from phoenix remanufactured transmission in Arizona and had kuan''s auto repair, an ase certified repair shop in St. Paul, fix it. I went on and conduct an extended research on Chrysler''s transmission. There has to be something wrong if a brand new transmission would broke in 42000 miles. The result of the research is astounding: Chrysler had this type of the transmission since 1988 and it is a design flaw in the transmission. The worst part is, Chrysler knew about it since beginning and did nothing about it. Thousands of people have the same problem with this type of transmission (A604 41te) on Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler brands of mini vans. Chrysler''s ignorance to the problem continues to jeopardize the safety of thousands of families with this defected transmission on their mini vans. A mini van is a family car and thousands of mothers and children depend on it. It is time for Chrysler to put the safety and quality on their priority and pay for the cost to fix those faulty transmissions.
A humming noise could be heard from the transmission. The transmission also started to slip and the vehicle would jerk forward when the gears were changed.
1998 Dodge Caravan: (1.)twice in the past two years "flex plate" between the engine and transmission has failed breaking in the center imitating the sound of a failing main bearing. Under 100,000 miles. (2.) transmission failed 100,000 mi., (3.)wiring harness caught fire while engine running - destroyed harness. (sparks shooting out from beneath vehicle - fire extinguished before major damage @ 110,000 miles.,000 mi. ( 4.) headlight lens plastic turned milky and inhibits proper light projection - difficult to see well at night even when lights are on bright.
I purchased my vehicle in 2000. Two months later my transmission went. 16 months after that my motor went. I had to let my vehicle sit for nine months not being able to drive it and yet still making payments on it before I could afford to replace to the motor. So 3 weeks ago I had the motor replaced and now my transmission has gone again. Supposedly it was replaced with a factory rebuilt transmission the first time around. This seriously upsets me that the transmission has gone again. I still owe 2 and 1/2 years of payments on this vehicle and I am back to I cannot drive it again because I cannot afford to get it fixed. I was told of some factory problem with the transmissions and I wondered if this could be the reason that my vehicle is out of commission again. For the amount of money this used vehicle is costing me I would have been better off to buy a new one. The vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Caravan.
Automatic transmission failure. Extent of rebuild/repairs being assessed by benchmark transmission, wilmington de. Probable failure of shift governor due to internal failure of part/parts was preliminary diagnosis of brandywine Chrysler, wilmington de and benchmark transmission, wilmington de. Preliminary estimate of rebuild is $1400, but dependent on extent of internal damage. Benchmark reported no electronic failure or cause. Mileage is 56,111. Vehicle purchased new in July 1998 and still owned by original owner.
The transmission can be shifted from park to drive without having foot on brake. Also, when shifting into drive, indicator not really locked in drive position even if shown in drive. The mechanic has to replaced the transmission (twice) because of damage done while trying to shift properly.
While driving the consumer heard a knocking noise and the vehicle started jerking then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the planetary gears failed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Philadelphia, PA, USA